What is Ham Radio or Amateur Radio?
Introduction to Amateur Radio
The purpose of this article is to help those who want to know how to get into ham radio. What is a ham radio? What is a ham radio license? If these are your questions, this intro to ham radio is for you.
Since we first posted this overview, we've received many compliments from radio amateurs and clubs requesting to link to this page as a resource. We are happy for anyone to use this with attribution back to Ham Radio Deluxe.
A General Overview of Amateur Radio
We live in a digital age. The transfer of information is immediate, and the power to communicate lies in the palm of our hands. But in a world of smart cars and cell phones, the technology relied on by emergency first responders and The National Weather Service — cell-tower independent and terror-resilient — has been around for over a century. This technology is used by over 3 million recreational participants worldwide.
Unlike commercial radio, amateur radio is both a service and a hobby. It is a wireless method of communication connecting individuals from every corner of the globe. Licensed operators use radios ranging from handhelds and base stations to remote shacks to communicate with other "hams" across the street and worldwide.
Dr. Carper (WA9PIE) in QSO through the International Space Station (ISS) using Satellite Tracking and a Yaesu FT991A.
The Demographic & Spectrum
Hams come from many backgrounds, professions, and income levels. They include astronauts, royalty, and celebrities like Joe Walsh and Tim Allen. These amateur radio operators connect on 29 ham radio bands with radio frequencies ranging from 135.7 kilohertz to 250 gigahertz (plus all frequencies above 275 gigahertz). Hams are licensed by the FCC and assigned call signs by the International Telecommunication Union.
What is Ham Radio Used For?
- Emergency Communications: Providing a lifeline during natural disasters and severe weather when other systems fail.
- Interpersonal Communication: Fostering global friendships and social interaction.
- Experimentation & Innovation: Exploring radio spectrum uses, digital communications, and weak-signal propagation.
- Public Service: Supporting marathons, parades, and community gatherings.
- Education: Learning electronics, radio technology, and communication principles.
- DXing & Contesting: Competitive events to contact as many countries or geographic regions as possible.
- Satellite Communications: Using amateur satellites orbiting the Earth for long-distance contact.
Activities Involving Ham Radio
Emergency Communication: "When All Else Fails"
In a crisis, the grid can become gridlock. We saw this on 9/11 and during the 2003 blackout. During Hurricane Katrina, over 1,000 cell sites were offline; hams traveled to the Gulf Coast to provide assistance. Handheld 2-meter radios (HTs) are portable, sturdy, and can reach repeaters from states away. This service is cell-tower and electricity independent, often rejuvenated using solar power.
Emergency communications is one of the most vital roles for amateur radio operators in any community. Organizations like ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) and RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) coordinate trained volunteers who stand ready to support served agencies — hospitals, Red Cross chapters, emergency operations centers — when commercial infrastructure fails. Hams also play a key role in severe weather spotting through Skywarn, a program run in partnership with the National Weather Service.
Talking Through the International Space Station
One of the most remarkable things amateur radio operators can do is make contact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. NASA and the ISS National Lab support the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, which allows licensed hams — including school groups — to speak directly with crew members as the station passes overhead at 17,500 mph. The ISS typically crosses any given location in about 10 minutes, making these contacts exciting, time-pressured events. All you need is a basic VHF radio, a directional antenna, and satellite tracking software like the kind built into Ham Radio Deluxe.
Contesting & Field Day
Contesting involves making as many contacts as possible within specific geographic or mode constraints. Entities include countries, US States, CQ/ITU Zones, grids, and National Parks. One of the most popular events is "Field Day," which promotes community outreach and emergency preparedness, often held in public areas like shopping center parking lots.
DXing: Chasing the Distance
DXing (Distance Unknown) involves two-way communication with remote stations generally inaudible at a given frequency.
- DXpeditions: Voyages to remote islands or grids that transmit around the clock, often making 60,000+ QSOs in days.
- DX Awards: The ARRL sponsors programs like the DX Century Club (DXCC), rewarding those with 100+ confirmed entities via QSL cards or Logbook of the World (LoTW).
- Chasing DX: Using "DX Clusters" to crowd-source "DX spots" and tracking contacts with software-based loggers.
Clubs, Hamfests & Fox Hunting
Clubs: Local organizations to promote ham radio. Hamfests: Trade shows and flea markets where manufacturers like Icom, Yaesu, Elecraft, and FlexRadio show gear. Fox Hunting: Also known as Transmitter Hunting, participants use triangulation to find a hidden transmitter, often on the 2-meter band.
APRS: The Automatic Packet Reporting System tracks position (latitude/longitude) of vehicles or balloons via GPS and packet radio.
Ham Radio Frequency Bands & Band Plans
One of the first things new hams discover is that amateur radio isn't limited to a single channel or frequency — operators have access to dozens of designated frequency bands spread across the entire radio spectrum, from very low frequencies all the way into the microwave range.
A band plan is a voluntary guide that organizes how operators use the frequencies within each band — designating segments for voice, digital modes, CW (Morse code), beacons, and weak-signal work. Band plans help minimize interference and ensure the bands remain useful for everyone. The ARRL publishes band plans for all US amateur allocations.
The 10-Meter Band
The 10-meter band (28.0–29.7 MHz) is one of the most popular HF bands and a great starting point for new operators. Because Technician-class licensees have data and CW privileges on 10-meter radio frequencies — and voice privileges from 28.300–28.500 MHz — it's often the first HF band a new ham explores. When solar conditions are favorable and the band is "open," 10-meter propagation can carry signals worldwide with surprisingly modest power and simple antennas. It's also home to a large community of SSB and FM operators, making it an active and social band across multiple continents.
HF, VHF, and UHF at a Glance
Amateur radio frequencies are generally grouped into three broad categories:
- HF (High Frequency, 3–30 MHz): Long-distance "skip" propagation via the ionosphere. Bands include 160, 80, 60, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters. General and Extra class licenses unlock full HF privileges.
- VHF (Very High Frequency, 30–300 MHz): Primarily local and regional communication via repeaters. The 2-meter band (144–148 MHz) is the most popular VHF band and is fully accessible to Technician-class operators.
- UHF (Ultra High Frequency, 300 MHz–3 GHz): Includes the 70-centimeter band (420–450 MHz), popular for FM voice, digital voice (D-STAR, DMR, Fusion), and amateur satellites.
Amateur Radio Licensing
The FCC governs the service through "Part 97" and is the sole issuer of license grants. Exams are proctored by Volunteer Examiners (VEs). License classes include:
How to Get Your Ham Radio License
Getting licensed is more straightforward than most people expect. The path to your first radio license follows three simple steps:
- Study for the Technician exam. The 35-question multiple-choice test covers basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics fundamentals. Free resources like HamStudy.org make it easy to prepare at your own pace — most people are ready within a few weeks.
- Find an exam session. Exams are administered by teams of Volunteer Examiners coordinated through Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) — organizations like the ARRL VEC, W5YI, and others that are accredited by the FCC to credential VE teams. Sessions are held regularly in most cities and towns, and many are now available online. The ARRL website maintains a searchable session finder.
- Pass and get your callsign. Once you pass, your information is submitted to the FCC. Your callsign typically appears in the FCC database within a few business days, and you can begin transmitting immediately upon grant.
The Technician license is the entry point to the hobby and unlocks a surprising amount of operating — including all VHF/UHF bands, local repeaters, digital modes, satellite operation, and limited HF privileges. Upgrading to General and then Extra Class opens progressively more of the HF spectrum and grants access to exclusive band segments with less congestion.
Note: License classes in the US are structured so each builds on the last. You cannot skip straight to Extra — you must hold or simultaneously pass the lower exams first.
Modes of Operating
Voice (Phone): Includes Analog (AM, FM, SSB — USB/LSB) and Digital voice encoding.
Morse Code (CW): Developed in 1836, Morse code is one of the most efficient modes, though no longer required for licensing.
Digital Modes: "Keyboard to keyboard" communication via computer soundcards. Modes include PSK31, MFSK16, Olivia, Contestia, RTTY, JT65, JT9, FT8, and FT4.
Equipment & Getting Started
Handhelds (HTs): $35 (Baofeng) to $500. Mobile Radios: $150 to $1,100. Base Stations: $800 to $13,000. Towers and antennas can cost thousands more.
To get started, pick up a study guide and find a local exam session via the ARRL website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ham Radio
Why is it called "ham" radio?
The exact origin is debated. One popular theory is that early radio operators were called "hams" as a somewhat derogatory term for poor operators — similar to a "ham actor." Over time the community embraced the nickname proudly. Today "ham radio" and "amateur radio" mean exactly the same thing and are used interchangeably.
Do I need a license to operate ham radio?
Yes — in the United States, the FCC requires a license to transmit on amateur radio frequencies. There are three license classes: Technician, General, and Extra. The Technician exam is a 35-question multiple choice test and is considered straightforward with a few weeks of study. You do not need a license to listen — only to transmit.
How much does ham radio cost to get started?
Getting started is more affordable than most people expect. A basic handheld radio (HT) can be purchased for as little as $30–$50. A Technician license exam fee is typically around $15. Many operators start with a handheld and expand their station over time as their interest grows.
What is the difference between ham radio and CB radio?
CB (Citizens Band) radio requires no license, operates on a fixed set of 40 channels in the 27 MHz range, and is limited to 4 watts of power. Ham radio operators are licensed, have access to dozens of frequency bands spanning from below 2 MHz to above 275 GHz, and can run significantly more power. Ham radio also supports a far wider range of operating modes including digital, satellite, and weak-signal communication.
Can ham radio work without the internet or cell towers?
Yes — and this is one of its most valued qualities. Ham radio is completely independent of the internet, cell towers, and commercial infrastructure. This makes it a critical tool for emergency communications when other systems fail, as demonstrated during Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, and numerous other disasters.
How do I get a ham radio license?
Study for the Technician exam using free resources like HamStudy.org, then find a local exam session through the ARRL website. Exams are administered by Volunteer Examiners (VEs) and are held regularly in most areas. Once you pass, your callsign is typically issued within a few days.
Ham Radio Glossary & Terms
Check Out Our Ham Radio Glossary Page
Ham Radio Software
Check out this overview of Ham Radio Software
Ready to Get the Most Out of Your Ham Radio Station?
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